BALTIMORE—The Orioles finally got a lengthy start. Unfortunately for Alex Cobb, his stat line outweighed his pitching performance.
Cobb was undone by three infield singles in the third, and the Orioles did virtually nothing to support him offensively in a 7-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday night at Camden Yards.
After Cobb retired the first six Blue Jays, Lourdes Gurriel and Joe Panik began the third with infield singles. Danny Jansen hit a ball back to Cobb, who threw to first while Gurriel advanced to third and Panik to second. Cavan Biggio reached on another infield single, which scored Gurriel.
Randal Grichuk cleared the infield and the bases with a three-run homer to center for a 4-0 lead. It was Grichuk’s third of the season, and his 13th in 31 games against the Orioles.
“Every year this happens,” Cobb said. “Over 162 games, it usually happens two or three times when you get ‘bleeded’ to death, little cuts here and there, and balls fall in, and there’s a blast and, before you know it, your line looks terrible and you’re falling behind.
“As a pitcher, you can feel when it’s happening, you do your best to minimize it, especially in the case tonight. Our bullpen has just been picking us up as starters every single night, keeping us in ballgames … tonight was a big night for us to try to work deep into a game and give them a little bit of a breather.”
The Orioles scored their only run against Hyun Jin Ryu in the fourth. Anthony Santander led off with a double, and scored on Pedro Severino’s one-out single.
Cobb allowed four runs on six hits in the third, and then retired 16 straight until he walked Jansen with two outs in the seventh. Biggio reached on an infield single, and Grichuk’s single just past second baseman Hanser Alberto scored Jansen and ended Cobb’s night.
“He just made that one bad pitch to Grichuk,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Besides that, throwing strikes, good life to his fastball, nice splits, good curveballs, pitched ahead in the count, got early contact, got into the seventh, could have gone a little longer. He gave us a chance.”
Cobb allowed five runs on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings, the longest outing for an Orioles starter this season and his longest since a complete game, the Orioles’ last, on August 18, 2018.
“This was probably, hands down, the best I’ve felt from start to finish this year,” Cobb said. “They’re a super aggressive team, and I knew that going in. You’re going to have to have all your pitches working.”
Dillon Tate, who was reinstated from the injured list on Monday, relieved Cobb and threw 2 1/3 innings, allowing Biggio’s sixth home run, a two-run shot to left.
Ryu, a former Dodger who signed a four-year $80 million contract with Toronto in the offseason, allowed a run on four hits in six innings.
“They didn’t give Ryu that big contract for nothing,” Hyde said. “He’s a tough at-bat, you never know what he’s going to throw. You don’t know which side of the plate he’s going to throw to. He’s really tough on right-handers.
“He really knows how to pitch, throws to both sides of the plate, and he’s got a real sneaky fastball, a cutter, a breaking ball, a changeup, and he locates all of them. You never know what’s coming.”
Rafael Dolis, who pitched the previous four seasons in Japan, pitched a perfect seventh. Anthony Bass threw a spotless eighth, and Jacob Waugespeak finished the ninth, allowing an RBI single to Renato Nuñez that scored Cedric Mullins, who walked.
Mullins, who was recalled from the alternate site at Bowie on Saturday when Austin Hays was put on the 10-day injured list with a fractured rib, had one of the five hits against Toronto.
“In terms of my at-bats, I feel like they’re a lot stronger compared to the ones that I’ve had in the past,” Mullins said. “I’m able to adjust to certain pitches differently.”
The Orioles have lost three of their last four and are 12-10.
Santander notables: Santander has hit in 12 straight games, equaling a career high. On Sunday, Santander’s second home run landed on Eutaw Street, the team announced. During Sunday’s game, they announced his first home run hit Eutaw Street, but they later said that it didn’t.
It was the third home run Santander has hit onto Eutaw Street, and was the first one to land there this season.
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Tough loss. Cobb did indeed pitch way better than his line will indicate. Absolutely no support offensively or defensively. Can't waste pitching performances like this an expect to make the playoffs.
So Holoday, Valazquez & Mullin ... can a team put 3 weaker options together than this in a lineup? Makes one wonder how we're on the winning side of the ledger.
And Valazquez ... and I the only one that thinks this guy throws like a girl?
Pitiful lineup last night. Where the hell are RM & Diaz? Wake up Elias ... we're in the hunt!!
I think you may be right Boog, I don't know that we see Mountcastle until next spring. There is zore reason for his not being in Baltimore at this point. Perhaps they want him to start his service clock in close proximity to Rutschman, who knows. Diaz I'm not sure we ever see, as I'm not convinced he is anything more than a AAA ballplayer at this point.
You took the words right out of my head Boog. Could there possibly be a weaker platoon in left field then Valaika -Smith. I don’t know why Sisco is striking out so much but he creamed a ball against a left hander last week. He needs more at bats and starting a 33 year old slow journeyman in Holiday doesn’t develop your younger players. I’m not going to waste my breath about RD& YD obviously they should have been in the lineup last night the lame excuses that they need more seasoning I don’t buy let them get experience in this unusual season since there is no triple A ball. At one point there was talk about signing Puig until he got Covid. If he’s still around sign him. The lineup last night will not win many games period.
Yes I noticed that lineup. Holiday over Sisco? Yes Boog Valesquez does seem a little "light in loafers". Gotta put Iglesias on the 10 game IL. This is getting ridiculous. The position that cries out for help though is LF. If they're not gonna call up Mountcastle/Diaz/ or Williams at least go out and get someone(Puig/Pillar). Whether they realize/like it or not they're in the playoff hunt. How long of an option is Nunez at 1B? He looks like a dancing bear moving his feet around. Let's get the hitting cylinders cranked up again and hope we're not plateauing.
Agree go get Puig. The reason why Mountcastle, Diaz and Willams are not here but we have to suffer with infielders cast offs in the outfield is over my head but this righty platoon against left handed pitchers is a pathetic lineup
Gotta agree with all three of you, it’s shocking we’re where we are in the standings & the best Elias comes up with is a waiver wire pitcher...who by the way didn’t pitch badly this time, but WTH were right there, make it look like we’re trying to get better, bringem up or signem....go O’s...
CalPals I just feel Elias objective is not the same as ours. If we win ok but it’s not the master plan when better players are sitting in Bowie. Like I said the other day the Nats have two starters 20 years old one a all star we have guys in Bowie that are old by comparison not getting a chance. Even the Tigers brought up two top young prospects last night. There is nothing to lose playing Mountcastle, Diaz even Kremer now but what do I know.
I get the feeling that Elias hasn't given up on the idea of picking top 5 again. And let's admit it, this team could go into the tank any day now. I may not agree with Elias and his lose now / win later methodology, but the guy does seem to know what he's doing. One more thing...he's sticking to his guns despite public outcry. That in itself is admirable. ( I just threw up in my mouth a little)
Can't disagree with the desired changes -who shall we cut? CD, Smith? + Velasquez, or Valaika? Got to keep 3 catchers if you want Sisco to play. Severino is a better catcher, is hitting well; Sisco and Nunez and RM can rotate between DH, Sisco & Nunez rotate at 1B. Surprised BRR wants to get rid of Mullins
Mullins is not a major leaguer hitter. He can run and field and has a weak arm. Is that enough upside
I'd rather get rid of Smith Jr than Mullins. I think we've seen the best of Smith Jr, and I don't see him in the future. Mullins...well...gotta admit I've been wrong about him so far, but I just have this feeling that something could click with the guy hitting-wise, and frankly, I like his speed & defense. A season of AAA ball certainly couldn't hurt.
But Velasquez? Really? He's a track star, not an infielder. I can't believe he plays short with the way he throws. Dump him NOW.
I kind of like Valaika. Seems to have a clutch gene, and he's got some versatility about him. I could see him in a slash Flaherty role until something better came along.
So ...get rid of Smith & Valaquez ....maybe a pitcher ...,maybe Mullins....and please bring up RM & Diaz.
I don’t agree with you on Mullins I’ve never seen him turn on a fastball over mid nineties. I’ve said from day one Smith jr is a one dimensional player who was cut by Toronto for obvious reasons he should not be on this team. I like Valaika as a utility guy not a starter in left field. I think Hyde is in love with Velazquez so I see him sticking the whole year. I believe if we had a veteran manager he would call for the call ups of Mountcastle, Diaz and a starting pitcher. There’s a reason Elias hires Hyde it’s called control
I certainly can't argue with you on Mullins Bruce. Just a pet/favorite of mine that I"m having a hard time giving up on. I do think that we've seen the best the Smith Jr is going to give us though.
Did I read "playoffs"? Playoffs? I'm having trouble stifling my inner Jim Mora.
Agreed, I'm thrilled to be watching a team that staying in ballgames and not mired in the cellar in August BUT being 2 games over .500 four weeks into the season does not a contender make.
Cedric Mullins' batting skills are not great. Yet as of today, he has a higher batting average than his teammate whose annual salary is about $23,000,000.
I see the 0’s called up a second baseman Ramon Urias. Have no idea who he is but assume we will be seeing him in the outfield soon
LOL
You have not heard of Urias because he has never been in the Big Leagues before. He will probably be no worse in the outfield than in the infield. Elias's master plan is now clearly in focus, and you doubters need to find something else to whine about.
That’s great getting someone out of the Mexican league is part of the master plan. Maybe he will turn out to be another Fernando Valenzuela